Stewart Doubtful For Celtic Cup Tie

By hearts-mad newsroomLast updated : 28 October 2009

The Hearts captain suffered an ankle injury in the build up to last week's draw with Falkirk at Tynecastle, which eventually forced him from the field.

Having failed to train so far this week a late decision will be taken with regard to the involvement of the skipper.

"Michael Stewart is in the headlines but I said before he must be protected by the club and me," Csaba noted at today's pre-match news conference. "He is the captain of the team, but at the moment he is not ready to play against Celtic. We must look today.

"Yesterday he had a problem with his ankle and he did not train. He had some fluid in the ankle but in the background we have players who definitely can play in this position and we must decide whether we take the risk and bring Mike Stewart in the field.

"We must decide what is the best decision for the team and Mike Stewart. If he can train, ok, but if he can't train then maybe we keep him for Motherwell in the next game. This is also very important."

The manager also insisted that the midfielder will continue to be a key player at Hearts, regardless of the varying opinions which exist of the former Manchester United man. "Michael Stewart is one of the most experienced players in this club and he can help this team, definitely," Csaba stressed. "In the future Mike Stewart will always be part of the team if he can play."